US TikTok ban could begin next year as Biden signs law, but legal battle looms

What just happened? After years of threats, a bill that could see TikTok banned from the US is now law. However, the ban would trigger no earlier than the beginning of next year, and a court battle could lengthen or even halt the process as a social network used by nearly half of Americans hangs in the balance.

US President Joe Biden has signed a bill into law that forces TikTok owner ByteDance to either sell the immensely popular social network or remove the app from Apple and Google app stores. The Beijing parent company has 270 days to comply, meaning the ban could enter effect next January at the earliest, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is in progress.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew responded by vowing to mount a legal challenge against the legislation, which could delay the issue further. In the meantime, he asked TikTok users ...